Dilrook Kannangara

Provincial council and local government elections are overdue. They must be held as soon as possible. Most government powers that matter to the people including healthcare, education, agriculture, etc. are provincial powers. Central government cannot deliver on any promise without these powers vested in provincial councils. Local government bodies are the grassroots level governance units. They matter to daily needs of constituents. For that reason, there is no merit in delaying these elections any further. Holding them now ensures the ruling party gets compliant provincial councils and local government bodies.

While provincial councilors number cannot be changed from 450, the number of people elected to local governance bodies must be drastically reduced from over its current number of 8,000. At the maximum 800 is sufficient. These can be passed by parliament without delay and before the election.

Just like all other parties that ruled Sri Lanka, NPP and the JVP fully embrace 13A and the existing provincial council system. The JVP of 1987 is long gone and priorities have changed in all political parties in the country with the passage of time. Given tremendous minority support and cordial relations with India, there is no requirement to change 13A or the provincial council system at this moment. It can be considered at the time of introducing a new Constitution. What is now required is electing councilors into existing provincial councils.

It is a good idea to hold all provincial council and local government elections on the same day. In order to avoid confusion, raise income for the government and reduce administrative expenses, election bond/deposit must be increased to at least Rs 100,000 per candidate.